Flying light helicopters in Northern Ireland during the Troubles was a
dangerous and demanding task. Terrorists were determined to prosecute a
campaign against military aircraft operating in South Armagh and beyond,
whilst roadside bombs made the security forces dependent on helicopters
for surveillance and troop movements. The Westland Gazelle is one of the
longest serving and most successful reconnaissance and observation
helicopters. Drawing on his experience as a Gazelle pilot during a real
time four-month tour of duty, the author describes what it was actually
like to fly as a squadron pilot in the fight against terrorism. This
book takes you on an aerial odyssey of the province during 1990 when the
conflict was at its height.
This narrative non-fiction account is unique because previous authors on
the subject have not been pilots. The author describes the daily
experience of being on the front line operating with different
organizations in the security forces and how aerial support contributed
toward keeping the peace.
With plenty of technical flying content placed in historical context,
the book will appeal to both aviation enthusiasts and military
historians.